The Humboldt Crabs are a collegiate summer baseball team located in Arcata, California. Playing in every season since they were founded in 1945 by Lou Bonomini, later joined by Ned Barsuglia, the Crabs are the oldest continually-operated summer collegiate baseball team in American baseball.[2][3] Through the 2024 season the Crabs have a total record of 2693 wins, 830 losses, and one tie. The Crabs did not play the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 2024, the Crabs are charter members of the newly-formed Pacific Empire League.
Crabs games are broadcast on KEJB 1480 AM, the Humboldt Crabs YouTube Channel, and stats are live on GameChanger App. Most games also include the Crab Grass Band, formed in 1983, that play songs in between innings.
Brief background
Originally the Eureka Paladini Crabs, named for the Paladini Fish Company who sponsored the team from 1945 to 1947.
In the 77-year history of the Humboldt Crabs, over 300 players have continued on to play professional baseball, with over 60 former Crabs going all the way to the Major Leagues.[4]Dane Iorg played for the Crabs from 1968 to 1970.[5][6]John Oldham, a Crabs pitcher in 1952–53, was the first to make it all the way, playing for the Cincinnati Reds in 1956.[7]Leo Rosales, who pitched for the 2002 Crabs,[8] was called up to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008.[9] 2003 Crabs infielder Brett Pill was called up to the San Francisco Giants in 2011, and was on the team's 2012 roster as a 1st baseman.[10][11] Most recently, Vinny Pestano, Bradley Zimmer, and Mike Redmond are all former Crabs.
Their best season, record-wise, was 1985 when the team won 46 consecutive games to start the season. Future Major Leaguers Mike Harkey, Eric Gunderson, Steve Olin, and Scott Chiamparino led a dominant pitching staff.
In 2007, the team's 63rd consecutive season, the Crabs overall season record was 42 - 12;[15] in 2008, the Crabs drew an average of 874 fans to the ball park and went 35 - 13 for the season;[16] in 2009 the Crabs record was 48–11;[17] in their 66th season, 2010, the Crabs went 43 - 9;[18][19] the 2019 team went 33–16. Find stats on the GameChanger app.
The Humboldt Crabs are a non-profit, community-oriented organization. Its mission is four-fold:
To promote family entertainment by providing high-quality summer collegiate baseball games to the public at a reasonable price;
To provide talented collegiate-level baseball players with a positive summer baseball experience;
To support youth sports programs (with an emphasis on baseball or softball) in the Humboldt County area with contributions of funding and/or equipment as funds permit in addition to annual baseball skills camps and clinics operated by Humboldt Crabs players and coaches;
To preserve and build the tradition of Humboldt Crabs Baseball.
"Coaches Award" - Kevin Morsching/Scott Heinig Memorial Award: Ethan Rivera
Defensive Player of the Year:
Organization
Humboldt Crabs Fan Appreciation Day 2010
Humboldt Crabs Baseball, Inc is a 501(c)(4) community-owned organization. A volunteer board of directors rely on the support of community members & sponsors to keep the Humboldt Crabs Baseball operation functioning.
Note: The board of directors is subject to change from year to year. Current serving members include Scarlet Palmer, David Sharp, Vikki Rossi, Matt Filar, Ellen Barthman, Erik Fraser, Roger Lorenzetti, Larry Zerlang, Michelle Briggs Butler, Neil Butler, and Brice Gummersall.
Far West League
The Crabs joined the Far West League (FWL), which had ten teams participating in the 2011 season. The five-team FWL North Division included the Humboldt Crabs, Nor Cal Pirates, Redding Colt 45s, Nevada Bullets (formerly Reno Aces), and Southern Oregon RiverDawgs. The five-team FWL South Division included the Atwater Aviators, Fontanetti's Athletics, Neptune Beach Pearl, California Glory, and Fresno Cardinals. The Crabs were part of the West Coast League/Tri-State[22] (which was associated with the West Coast League in the Pacific Northwest) then merged with the Pacific West Baseball League to form the FWL. (The California Seals were originally an eleventh team in the FWL but are on hiatus for the 2011 season.)
2011 league champions
This inaugural year of the Far West League culminated with the top five League teams competing in a double-elimination Tournament, hosted by the Humboldt Crabs and played in the Arcata Ball Park, August 5–7. The Humboldt Crabs (21 - 6), with the best record in regular season league play, were the top-seeded team, but lost their first game to fourth-seed Fontanetti's Athletics, 1–0,[23] on August 5. To avoid being eliminated, the Crabs had to win four games in a row. On August 6, the Crabs shut out the Atwater Aviators, 2–0,[24] in an elimination game. On August 7 the Crabs won three games in one day, starting with Fontanetti's Athletics, 7–2,[25] (who had beaten the Crabs 2 of 3 games in regular-season play); then facing the Neptune Beach Pearl who had won 8 of their previous 9 games, and who were as yet undefeated in the Tournament. By winning four in a row, including 6-3[26] and 5-1[27] wins over the Pearl, the Crabs avoided elimination and won the tournament and the championship.[28]
The Humboldt Crabs finished the 2011 season with records of 40–13 overall, 25–7 in League/Conference play.[29]
The Humboldt Crabs rank #22 from among over 220 summer collegiate league teams in the nation for the week of August 9, 2011, by Perfect Game USA.[30]
The Far West League has since disbanded, but the Crabs were league champions all three years in its inception.
Year by year records
(*)denotes California State Semi-Pro Champion
(^) denotes West of the Rockies Tournament Champion
(<) denotes All-American Invitational Champion
(~) denotes season not played due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Class of 2012: Ned Barsuglia, Bob Bonomini, Lou Bonomini, Adam Carr, Steve Fish, Mike Harkey, Dane Iorg, Rico Pastori, Greg Shanahan, Don Terbush, 1985 Team (51 Wins, 3 Losses)
Class of 2015: Fred Papini, Douglas Clayton, Billy Olsen, Lute Barnes, Paul Ziegler, Shane Turner, Scott Eskra, Joe Gerber, Nick Giacone, 2003 Team (43 Wins, 5 Losses)
Class of 2016: Mark Pirrucello, John Oldham, Bruce Benedict, Jim Wilson, Burt Nordstrom, Chris DeBoo, Richard Cates, Jerry Nutter, Elvira Bonomini, 1999 Team (45 Wins, 3 Losses)
Class of 2019: Hans Smith, Wade Hammond, Gregg Reynolds, Eric Gunderson, Al Masterson, Larry Taylor, David Ferres, Ken Dunaway, Joe Gallaty, Mary "Baseball Betty" Lacefield
No Hall of Fame Class of 2020-2023
Class of 2024: Al Brisack, Matt Tomlin, Greg Lorenzetti, Brandon Marcelli, Reggie Christiansen, Fred Lomeli, 2015 Team (41-9)
Related Research Articles
Garth Ray Iorg is an American former professional baseball player who played his entire career for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has also worked as the first base coach for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Dane Charles Iorg is an American former professional baseball first baseman and outfielder, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from (1977–1986) for four teams, including eight seasons spent with the St. Louis Cardinals. While playing for the Kansas City Royals, Iorg produced the game-winning hit in Game 6 of the 1985 World Series. His brother Garth also played in MLB.
Arcata High School is the primary public high school in Arcata, serving students in grades 9 through 12. It is located in Arcata, California and is part of the Northern Humboldt Union High School District.
The USC Trojans baseball program represents the University of Southern California in college baseball. Established in 1888, the team is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Big Ten Conference. USC’s home field is Dedeaux Field, which is named in honor of former head coach and National College Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Rod Dedeaux.
Michael Anthony Harkey is an American former professional baseball player and current coach. He played in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher from 1988 to 1997 for the Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, Oakland Athletics, California Angels, and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Elmira Pioneers are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Elmira, New York. They have been affiliated with many major league teams throughout their history. The current Elmira Pioneers play as members of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL). They play their home games at Dunn Field.
The Florida State Seminoles baseball team represents Florida State University in the sport of college baseball. Florida State competes in NCAA Division I, and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The College of Emporia Football Team was a college football team at the College of Emporia in Emporia, Kansas. The team competed from 1893 until the college closed in 1974 and was known for its high quality play for the size of the school as well as its early adoption of modern football methods.
The Baylor Bears baseball team represents Baylor University in NCAA Division I college baseball. The team belongs to the Big 12 Conference and plays home games at Baylor Ballpark. The Bears are currently led by head coach Mitch Thompson, who was hired in 2022
The Horizon Air Summer Series was a unique 11-week baseball competition among collegiate summer baseball clubs.
The Mystic Schooners are a collegiate summer baseball team that operates in the Mystic, Connecticut region. The franchise is one of the two oldest franchises in the New England Collegiate Baseball League.
The Far West League (FWL) was a collegiate summer baseball league based on the west coast of the United States that served primarily California and Oregon. It was formed as part of a merger between the West Coast League/Tri-State and Pacific West Baseball League, even though the PWBL is still in operation.
Fontanetti’s were a collegiate summer baseball team located in San Jose, California, founded in 1965, as a successor to previous teams managed by Jerry Fontanetti in the 1950s. Founder Jerry Fontanetti was the owner of Fontanetti’s Batting Cages, which operated in San Jose from 1953 until 2016.
The Seattle Cheney Studs are a semi-professional/collegiate baseball team in the greater Seattle, Washington area. They are currently a member of the National Baseball Congress in the Pacific International League and compete in the Horizon Air Summer Series. The team's motto is "Once a Stud, Always a Stud". The team is coached by Barry Aden, Tegan Aden, Chris Remington and Cody Aden. They are advised by Elisa Thomases.
Timothy Scott Wheeler is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the first round, 32nd overall, of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft. He played college baseball at Sacramento State.
Michael Gregory Marjama is a former American professional baseball catcher and current coach. He played for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB) and college baseball for the Long Beach State Dirtbags.
Arcata Ball Park is a collegiate baseball venue in the Western United States, located in Arcata, California. Opened in 1941, it is the home of the summer collegiate Humboldt Crabs. Arcata Ball Park is located at the corner of F Street and 9th Street in downtown Arcata, near the Plaza. The ballpark is tightly surrounded by a bus station on the third base side, busy F Street on the first base side, the Arcata Police Station and library behind right field, and Highway 101 just over the left field fence.
Bob Milano is an American college baseball coach. He served as the head coach of the California Golden Bears baseball team from 1978 to 1999.
The Western Baseball Association was a collegiate summer baseball league founded in 1967, and later known as the Big West Conference, was composed of teams from across the Pacific Northwest. The WBA, along with the Cape Cod League, was one of the first summer collegiate baseball leagues to be officially certified and supported by the NCAA in 1968, and is the direct predecessor to the well known Alaska Baseball League. The original ceased operation at the end of the 1972 season to make way for the ABL. The league was reformed in 1983 by the Humboldt Crabs, the only original WBA team in the new WBA, and played through the 2000 season.
The Sacramento Smokeys were a semi-pro and collegiate summer baseball team located in Sacramento, California, founded in 1949 by Larry Manuian, who ran the team until his death in 2011. The Smokeys played in multiple leagues in Northern California usually consisting of their prominent rivals such as the Fontanetti's Athletics and the Humboldt Crabs.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
